Monday, May 05, 2008

Three cool things

Three cool things. First, SOFTBALL! I played in asoftball tournament this weekend and I'm really happy about it. Is it considered un-cool to charge the mound in a charity softball tournament for orphans? :-) I ended up going 9/15 with four RBI's and a bunch of runs ober five games, too, so not bad all around.

Second, I was RECENTLY ELECTED to the Peace Corps Ukraine VolunteerAdvisory Council (VAC), one of only two representatives from my group of 80+ PCV's, so I'm pretty happy. It's like student government, only with some influence over things that actually influence the lives of people, like mail and money. My campaign speech was:

"BLOOD ALONE MOVES THE WHEELS OF HISTORY! Have you ever asked yourselves in an hour of meditation which everyone finds during the day, how long we have been striving for greatness? (Slam!) Not onlythe years we've been at war, the war of WORK. But from the moment as a child when we realized that the world could be conquered. It has been a lifetime struggle (Slam!), a never-ending fight, I say to you(Slam!), and you will understand that it is a privilege to fight!(light applause) We are warriors!! (moderate applause) G31 PCV's, I ask you, (Slam!) once more rise and be worthy of this historical hour!Some people will tell you "TEFL" is a bad word. They'll conjure up images of used car dealers and door-to-door charlatans. This is ourduty to change their perception. I say, salesmen, and women, of the world, unite! (applause) We must never acquiesce, for it is together, together (with the audience) that we prevail! (takes microphone in to his hand) We must never cede control of the motherland for it is (with the audience again) together that we prevail! Also, I really want to be in VAC and I think I would do an awesome job. Thanks, Thomas--"

It's straight out of "The Office," if you don't get the reference, which many people didn't. Hahaha.

Third, MY CAMP! I've e-mailed some of you already about the Summer Camp I'm hosting in June at my school, and I'm really excited aboutit. A summary, which is also found on this website, can be found below(https://www.peacecorps.gov/resources/donors/contribute/projdetail.cfm?projdesc=343-121). I've heard from several of you that you've tried to donate and the website isn't working. I'm sorry about that. If you would like tomake a tax-deductible donation, feel free to either keep trying the website, or try a faster way: donors can call the Peace Corps Grant office using their 800 number which is 800.424.8580 ext. 2170 or the general line 202.692.2170. If you choose to donate that way, you'll need the project number: 343-121. I appreciate any help you can give us. Hope all is well, love and miss you all,Thomas!

Here's the camp description:

--Camp 50! As a proud Oregonian, I frequently teach lessons about my state. My students know about Lewis and Clark, the Oregon Trail and the PortlandTrailblazers. However, they are woefully unaware about the unique beauty and culture of the other 49 states, and this is a common problem for students of Peace Corps Volunteers, simply because we like to teach about what we know and where we come from. That is where"Camp 50" comes in. The primary objective of the camp is to educate Ukrainian students about the 50 States in an English immersion setting. Camp 50 will offer PCVs the chance to teach about their states in a week-long "day camp" in my town. Camp participants will learn about American diversity—and when the camp is over, the state-by-state lesson plans will be collected and distributed to other teachers (PCV and Ukrainian) so that they can be easily used later. Additionally, teachers and counselors will discuss more serious topics like HIV/AIDS, gender discrimination, racial issues and human trafficking to promote the second objective of the camp (raising awareness of global and local social problems), and play lots of fun "energy" games with students in between lessons. Marginal camp fees pay for lunches for camp participants, teaching materials(American maps, copies, markers) and snacks, and School Number Four will donate their facilities and equipment for the duration of the camp. The Partnership Grant will pay for teacher/counselor housing, meals, travel costs and teaching materials.